Grand Forks AFB to host Triple 8 Fitness Challenge

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing/Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Logistics Officer Association (LOA) is scheduled to host the Triple 8 Fitness Challenge at 9 a.m. on Sept. 5, 2013, at the base outdoor running track.
The Triple 8 Fitness Challenge is a premier fitness event designed to test the conditioning limits of Air Force athletes and to distinguish an elite group that sets the fitness standard.

"The (319th) Mission Support Group commander, Colonel Joe Lindsey, presented the idea of the Triple 8 as a great opportunity for Grand Forks Air Force Base and the Warriors of the North to showcase their physical fitness and deployment readiness, setting the standard for other bases to follow," said Capt. Brett Kuhrt, 319th Force Support Squadron, Sustainment Services Flight commander, and one of the main points of contact for the event. "In addition, the event will serve as a fundraising opportunity for the (2013) Air Force Ball."

The goal of the event is to raise $2,000 through pledges and donations, in order to offset the price of tickets for Airmen in the pay grades of E-1 to E-4.

The Triple 8 will push challengers to their physical limits and will pave the way for a new age of Air Force athletes. Those who are able to meet the challenge will garner base-wide recognition and will set the mark for others to aspire.

The Triple 8 event will be split into individual and team categories. Challengers competing in the individual category will complete an unofficial Air Force physical fitness assessment consisting of push- ups, sit-ups and a 1 ½ mile run. Members will not complete the height and weight assessment or waist measurement. The test will be conducted by a volunteer certified Physical Training Leader (PTL). In order to achieve the title of Triple 8 athlete, one must pass all components of the test and must accomplish, at a minimum, 80 pushups in one minute, 80 sit-ups in one minute and a 1 ½ run in a time of 8 minutes, 59 seconds or faster.

The team category will consist of three member teams, with each member completing a single component of the Air Force physical fitness assessment, excluding the height and weight assessment and the waist measurement. Teams must be comprised of members from the same unit and each unit is limited to a single team. In order for a team to achieve the Triple 8 they must collectively meet the aforementioned criteria. The top two finishing teams will be recognized.

The individual competition is open to all volunteers, including active duty military, Department of Defense civilians, and dependents. The team competition is limited to active-duty military or civilians representing their respective units.

For more information or to sign up for the Triple 8 Fitness Challenge, contact Tech. Sgt. Kevin Reiter or Staff Sgt. Christopher Giles no later than Aug. 20 by phone at 747-5043; 747-5351. Those interested in participating may also sign-up at the front desk of the base fitness center.

The Triple 8 Fitness Challege directly supports the Air Force's Comprehensive Airman Fitness Program, which is designed to build and sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force Community that fosters mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness. (Event narrative by Capt. Brett Kuhrt was used in this article.)